The Mission Christmas charity campaign – which this year received a Royal seal of approval from HRH Prince Edward and also won the backing of Prime Minister Keir Starmer –  has announced today that the 2024 Cash for Kids Mission Christmas appeal has raised over £15 million (£15,420,506). This incredible sum means over 300,000 (306,996) disadvantaged children will wake up to a visit from Santa this Christmas.

Breakfast hosts on some of the nation’s favourite radio stations including Absolute Radio, Greatest Hits Radio, Hits Radio, KISS and Magic Radio all shared the good news on air this morning, thanking all those that had helped Cash for Kids reach this incredible total.

The largest children’s Christmas gift appeal in the UK, Mission Christmas is an annual campaign run by Bauer Media’s charity Cash for Kids, which aims to give Santa a helping hand in getting presents to those in the community who may otherwise go without.

Greatest Hits Radio’s Ken Bruce said: ‘I was lucky enough to be able to spend a day at a Mission Christmas HQ this year and saw first-hand the incredible effort that goes in to making sure the most vulnerable in our society don’t miss out on the magic of Christmas. So to all those who donated, raised money, volunteered or distributed gifts to families and children – thank you. We couldn’t have done it without you.’

As ever a number of famous faces helped highlight the cause with broadcasters including Magic Radio’s Harriet Scott and Harry Judd, Ken Bruce, Absolute Radio’s Sarah Champion and Ben Burrell and Hits Radio’s Gemma Atkinson and Mike Toolan taking part in an epic all day outside broadcast from Mission Christmas HQ in Manchester.

National treasures Ant & Dec donated proceeds from a specially designed t-shirt from Newcastle based artist Mul; Terry Wogan’s daughter in law, author Kate Wogan chose to support the charity via her latest book, Uh Oh Milo! The Excited Elf. Elsewhere Cash for Kids ambassador Ferne McCann joined the brilliant Rock Choir at Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink for the launch of their Christmas single in support of Mission Christmas; a cover of Stevie Wonder’s ‘What Christmas Means to Me’ which also featured two very familiar faces from Magic Radio – Tom Price and Kat Shoob.

Major donations also came from The George Michael Fund thanks to some of his record royalties from the sales of ‘Last Christmas’, which this year is celebrating its 40th anniversary! This generous donation has been turned into £500,000 of gifts thanks to the brilliant support of Rachel Lowe Games and Puzzles.

Skipton Building Society not only directly donated a wonderful £50,000 but also allowed their premises to be used as drop off points for presents. B&M Home Stores and Wickes were also among the national retailers allowing their stores to be used as gift collection points.

The team at Cash for Kids worked tirelessly throughout December ensuring that gifts reached the homes of the children who need them most. The charity works with many local grass-root organisations as well as social workers, head teachers and the emergency services who nominate families in crisis to be supported by the appeal.

You can continue to help make a difference to lives of disadvantaged children in your area by making a donation to Cash for Kids. To make a contribution or see how you can get involved in future campaigns, please visit cashforkids.org.uk

– ENDS -   

About Cash for Kids 

Cash for Kids is Bauer Media’s charity in the UK. In 2023 the charity raised over £23 million, supporting more than 583,957 children affected by poverty, illness, abuse, neglect or who have additional needs.

Bauer Media’s Cash for Kids registered charity (England, Wales & NI) 1122062, SC041421 (East Scotland) & SC003334 (West Scotland)

About Bauer Media UK

We are a media business focused on creating content that matters to millions of people across Europe. Our offering extends from print and online publishing to audio broadcasting and entertainment, alongside investments in other media related sectors. With more than 500 million copies sold each year, we are one of Europe’s largest Publishers. From women’s and celebrities’ magazines to TV listings to food and special interest, we own some of the most popular publishing brands in Germany, UK, Poland and France – both digital and print. But not only that. Reaching over 61 million listeners weekly, we operate over 150 radio and podcast brands in nine countries, spanning the UK, Ireland, Poland, Slovakia, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Norway and Portugal. Family-owned in the 5th generation, Bauer Media focuses on the long-term, with a consumer-first mindset that guides us across our diverse portfolio. Our workforce of 12,000 shares a common purpose: to deliver content and services that enrich people‘s everyday lives.